Volunteer

The Providence Animal Rescue League offers a broad range of volunteer opportunities.

Volunteers help save the lives of thousands of animals each year by assisting in the direct care of animals, fundraising, reaching out to the community and fostering animals in their homes.

Becoming a Shelter Volunteer

Volunteers must:

Be at least 16 years of age for most positions

Be 18 years old to work with dogs

Have previous experience handling large dogs if applying for dog care

Be able to commit to a weekly two-hour shift, for a minimum of 3 months

Be able to work independently without direct supervision

Individuals who cannot volunteer independently must volunteer in the company of an adult chaperone capable of assisting them, who has attended orientation and completed required training; PARL does not provide chaperones at this time

Be able to squat, bend, twist, lift or stand for long periods

Application Process

Review our shelter volunteer positions

Submit completed application in person or by mail to PARL.

Applicants that match our current openings will be contacted to schedule orientation and start date.

The process takes no more than 1 month.

Note, if there are no open shifts at the time, applications are kept on file to be considered for positions as they become available.

Court Ordered Community Service requires a separate application which can be found here

Direct Care Opportunities

Morning Animal Care
Assist staff members in the daily care of our animals and cleaning of the shelter. Shifts are available for dogs, cats and small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, etc.). 7 days a week; Dog & Cat shifts 8:30 - 10:30 am, Small animals 9 - 11 am. More details about the position can be found here.Open Shifts: Dog Care Mondays, Small Animal Care Tuesdays

Front Desk
Our front desk team coordinates the daily routine at the shelter. If you've got a background in customer service this position is for you! Tuesday-Saturday; 11:00 am–1:00 pm, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm or 3:00 pm-5:00 pm Details about our Front Desk Assistant position can be found here.Open Shifts: Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays

Enrichment/Laundry
This position is crucial in supporting the welfare of our shelter animals. You will split time between making enrichment toys for our furry friends and chipping away at the laundry. Both are invaluable to the continued success of the shelter. Enrichment toys or puzzles help prevent boredom and behavioral problems which often stem from a lack of mental stimulation. Laundry is a constant struggle due to the necessity to change out soiled bedding on a daily basis. While it's not one of the more engaging tasks at PARL, it truly is imperative we stay caught up - especially with the colder months approaching!
Shifts are available 7 days a week & can be scheduled during any two hour period from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.Open Shifts: Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Dog Walker
Dog Walkers play an essential role in enriching the lives of shelter dogs by providing exercise and socialization outside of their kennels. If you have experience handling dogs and time to spare, please click here to fill out an application. Shifts are available 7 days a week, volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Open Shifts: Sunday & Monday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Tuesday - Saturday 8:30 am - 4 pm

Supportive Opportunities

Project Day
PARL welcomes individuals, local businesses, schools, and organizations that are looking to volunteer their time with us. While working directly with our shelter animals is not always possible, there are plenty of opportunities to take part in the welfare of our animals. Please contact our volunteer coordinator for more information. For a Project Day Application, Click here

SENIOR PROJECTS: Submissions for 2018/2019 Senior Projects are now closed. However, please feel free to fill out a standard volunteer application if you are interested in routine animal care / shelter operations shifts. Thank you!

Events & Outreach
Volunteers in this program are crucial to the success of our mission and act as our ambassadors to the public. Your participation creates and continues a dialogue with our community. It spreads the word about all of the great services we offer while having fun outdoors. Opportunities include signature events like Pints for Paws, Pet Walk and Dogs on the Deck. We also have a presence at local fairs and festivals, generally during the warmer months. Events and Outreach Volunteer Application can be found here.

Foster Program

Foster Care
Foster parents play an important role at PARL. While fostering requires time and patience, the rewards are immeasurable. You will have helped alleviate the stress associated with a shelter environment, and as an added bonus you free up resources within the shelter to help our other homeless animals. Watching a foster blossom in your care and go on to their forever home is an amazing experience!

Opportunities exist for 'Weekend Warriors,' who - due to work or school - are not able to make a longer fostering commitment; you may also take in one of our animals for a longer stay. We encourage you to look over our Foster Care Handbook. and also review details about our foster program. Please contact clinic@parl.org to further discuss our foster program with our program coordinator.